Sometimes you don’t realize how much you like someone’s work until you sit down and compile a list. I have always loved films of Tim Burton, but I forgot he directed some of these, including Planet of the Apes and PeeWee’s Big Adventure.
The best Tim Burton movies are also great for Johnny Depp fans. Missing from this list is the Burton version of Willy Wonka. As much as I love Burton and Depp, the Wonka character was a bit to Michael-Jackson-esque for my taste. I prefer the original Willy Wonka.
Top Tim Burton Movie #10: Ed Wood
This is the director away from the mainstream, making a fringe movie about a fringe character. This movie is not for everyone, and may remind some more of John Waters than Tim Burton. Stars: Johnny Depp, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Patricia Arquette and Martin Landau.
Top Tim Burton Movie #9: Planet of the Apes
Here he updates the classic Planet of the Apes franchise. The film stars Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter. While Burton likes to work with Carter, he could have hired someone less attractive, since he had to turn her into an ape in the movie.
Top Tim Burton Movie #8: Big Fish
Big Fish is the most un-Tim-Burton-like film on the list. On its own it ranks higher, but it does not have enough dark elements to rank higher. Ewan McGregor is charming as always. The stellar cast includes Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, and the great Albert Finney.
Top Tim Burton Movie #7: Pee-wee’s Big Adventure
Paul Reubens will always be Pee-Wee. This movie is fun and warped with an off-beat sense of humor, typical style for this director.
Top Tim Burton Movie #6: Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
Creepy and creepier meet, they marry. Classic TB!
Top Tim Burton Movie #5: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton pays homage to the stop-motion animation technique with this genius of a movie. It may be too dark for some, but it is pure TB, right down the the characters removing their limbs.
Top Tim Burton Movie #4: Batman (Two-Disc Special Edition) ~ Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger,
Compared to the new Batman franchise, this Batman looks like light and fluffy. There is some dark humor here, and there are some great visuals.
Top Tim Burton Movie #3: Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is a movie that just stays with you. Although most people love Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice, other stars make this film worth seeing. Feast your eyes on Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Catherine O’Hara and the the actor that excels at playing a doofus, Jeffrey Jones.
Top Tim Burton Movie #2: Sleepy Hollow
The dark humor in Sleepy Hollow is just one element that makes this movie tops. Before Monk, there was Johnny Depp’s Ichabod Crane. Ironically, this CSI does not like the sight of blood.
Add the dark and sharp cinematography, the Headless Horseman, and Christina Ricci, and you have another stellar film.
Top Tim Burton Movie #1: Edward Scissorhands
Edward Scissorhands, made in 1990 remains his best film. How can you blame Winona Ryder’s character for falling in love with such an endearing and innocent Edward, portrayed by Johnny Deep.
The inclusion of Vincent Price was priceless, and his workshop was phenomenal. Only he could have directed this film.
